Is Backwards Compatibility A Deal Breaker For Next Generation Game Consoles?

GamerXchange:
The new console generation is almost upon us. We know that the Nintendo Wii U will be releasing sometime this year, we also know that the Wii U will indeed be backwards compatible with the original Wii. However, it wont be backwards compatible with the Nintendo Gamecube, this news might bother some people, but it got me to wondering if a lack of backwards compatibility would actually sway people from one console to another if the function was left out of their favorite brands console next generation.

[GribbleGrunger]

if it's Sony or Nintendo, yes, if it's Microsoft, no

[zeal0us]

Screw the games I want to know if my Gamerscore/Trophies have backwards compatibility. J/K

I do hope some if not all my games can work on next gen consoles but if they don't I still got my last gen console.

[Tony-A]

It's gonna really depend on what else the console has to offer. We've seen consoles do pretty much anything that any other device can do already this generation so it'll take something pretty unique to win me over if it DOESN'T have backwards compatibility.

If the 8th generation only does one or two new things that don't even enhance gameplay or a gamer's experience by much on top of no BC, what point is there in even going into the next generation so soon?

[versusALL]

No but it would be nice.

[Hicken]

Agreed. I'd like to have backward compatibility, but it's not like I'd just up and get rid of my PS3 any more than I got rid of my PS2 or PS1.

[Titanz]

I prefer it
Sold my Gamecube, kept my accessories and software, and use my Nintendo Wii console to play GC games, from time to time. I plan on purchasing a Wii U console, and it's been stated that it'll have Wii software playback, so I'll keep my Wii for my GC games, and play my Wii games on the Wii U (with the ability to hopefully play Wii games on the Wii Upad).

[joab777]

This gen is much different as these consoles do so much. If they r smart, they will have achiev/trophy transfer with friends. It should come with a transfer cable so u can put everything on ur new system. But, they should keep selling games and stuff on the psn or xbla. Sonyis smart. We have seen a deluge of great games that even a hardcore gamer wont get through 50% of what they want to play. Offer these games digitally or at a reduced price with indie games and many ppl will b on these systems for years.

Backward compatibility isnt a must. If it is increase shipping price, then no. It depends their strategy. If they wanna keep ppl on these systems, they wont do it. But, if another does it, they have to. That being said, if they want to saturate the market with old systems to get ppl hooked, they may not make money selling more this gen consoles but ppl will buy used ones in droves, which will ultimately benefit them. Also, sony is smart because if they have online play, it will make the ps3 relevant for a long while.

And if they surprise us and release the next data disc, it will turn tje ps3 into an ols blu ray player to keep. If they could simply update their browser. Microsoft has been smart in that they hav also turned their console into a media player. But they will have to make online free to ppl. Also, if they are expensive, many will wait because times are very hard.

[cl1983]

Don't they already offer this option with cloud storage/transfer?

[ginsunuva]

Wii U will probably be BC. Ps4 probably not. Xbox.... idk

[BitbyDeath]

Not too worried either way.
I traded my PS2 on launch of a PS3 but only really used the backwards compatibility for GoW2. So i don't think i'd miss not having it in 4.

[vega275]

It will for me. I have 70 360 games and I would like to play them on the next Xbox instead of having to have two consoles just to play my old games. Plus I don't want to be resold games I already own. Which is a reason I never bought any of the HD remakes.

[NYC_Gamer]

I don't really care about BC since i'm buying the console to play new software